Transcript

The coup-installed government plans to hold democratic elections this year.

Building ties in trade, investment, education and defence were among the topics canvassed when Ms Bishop and Mr Bainimarama met in Suva yesterday.

Dominique Schwartz reports from Fiji.

DOMINIQUE SCHWARTZ: Never mind for a moment what was discussed in the meeting between Julie Bishop and Commodore Bainimarama - the fact that it happened at all is a statement in itself.

It's the first time since 2008 that a senior Australian minister has met the Fijian leader.

JULIE BISHOP: It is significant because it is a change in policy. We went to the last election promising to change the foreign policy as it related to Fiji and to work towards normalising relations as soon as possible and I believe we have achieved that today in that I have met with the prime minister, I have laid out our ideas on how we can engage across a broad range of areas and he appeared very receptive. It was a positive, forward-looking discussion.

DOMINIQUE SCHWARTZ: Ms Bishop says they talked about increasing trade and investment opportunities by restoring the bilateral government industry working group which collapsed after the Bainimarama-led coup of 2006.

Civil servant exchanges, education scholarships and allowing people from Fiji to join Australia's seasonal worker program were also part of the normalization package proposed by the Foreign Minister.

She also wants to reignite the once-strong ties in defence training and cooperation.

As for the thorny issue of Australia's travel restrictions on Fiji government officials.

JULIE BISHOP: Since we became the Government, we have issued visas to all those who have applied for them. In effect we have agreed to visas for about 56 applications, including from ministers and senior officials.

DOMINIQUE SCHWARTZ: But Fiji still wants an official change and that may happen sooner rather than later with an Australian Government review of the bans due to be completed within days.

Ms Bishop is in Fiji as part of a ministerial group which will report back to the Pacific Islands Forum on Fiji's progress towards democracy. With elections due within seven months, she says she's impressed.

JULIE BISHOP: We also had a meeting with the electoral commissioners and they really have achieved a great deal particularly in terms of voter registration. That's now at a record 543,000 registered voters which is quite a remarkable achievement and given the preparations that are already in place and the challenge that is still to be met, I am confident that there will be an election.

DOMINIQUE SCHWARTZ: But will they be free and fair?

Felix Anthony is the secretary of the Fiji Trades Union Congress, which is behind the new People's Democratic Party - one of four political parties registered for the election so far.

Commodore Bainimarama says he'll release details about his political party after he steps down as head of the Defence Force this month. Mr Anthony says he considering running for parliament, but that the goal-posts keep changing and that having any association with a union could rule him out of politics.

FELIX ANTHONY: We already have restrictions that we cannot take part in politics or be an office bearer of a party or even support a party. I totally disagree that trade unions officials are public officers. We are not paid from the taxpayers. This is a membership based organisation and that decree limits my freedom of association and my right of speech on issues that are critical to workers of this country and to members of the union.

DOMINIQUE SCHWARTZ: He says the Australian Government should not rush into normalizing relations with Fiji.

It's a view that Minister Bishop may hear more of when today when she meets people from outside the government.